THE 



WESTERN REVIEW OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IN 



Science, Mechanic Arts and Agriculture. 

 VOL 1. FEBRUARY, 1878. NO. 12. 



ASTRONOMY. 



OCCULT ATION OF VENUS/DKCEMBER S, 1877. 

 BY PROF. C. AV. PRITCHETT, MORRISON OBSERVATORY. 



This phenomenon was witnessed over all the Western States, particu- 

 larly north of the parallel of 38°. To the astronomer it is gratifj'ing to 

 know how very general was the interest taken in its occurrence. This inter- 

 est was not confined to the educated, but M^as shared by the most unlettered 

 and even by young children. Hesperus, the glorious Evening Star, which 

 in Eden 



" * * * * Led the Btarry hosts, and brightest rode," 



has in all ages been an object to compel the attention and admiration of 

 beholders. But to find it on a clear, calm evening, first in close proximity 

 to the Moon, and next suddenly obscured by it, as if blotted out of Heaven, 

 surprises those unaccustomed to such events, and powerfully awakens popular 

 interest in celestial phenomena. Yet this event is only one of a class. 

 Kindred phenomena occur almost daily. Though unseen in America, 

 Yenus herself is occulted twice during the year 1878 — January 6th and 

 August 25. Also during the year the planet Jupiter will be occulted ten 

 times, Mars twice, and Uranus three times. The Solar Ecliiises, of w^hick 



